How many hashtags should I use, and does hashtag strategy still matter?

Hashtags are far less important than they used to be. Don’t spend time researching or optimizing complex hashtag sets. Instead, pick three to five consistent hashtags and reuse them. Three should be standard “brand” tags that apply to all your work—for example, your medium (“photographer”), your subject (“wildlife”), and a personal or gear tag (the camera brand you use). The remaining one or two can vary per post to describe the specific subject (the animal species, the location, etc.). This minimal, consistent approach is enough. The real driver of reach and engagement today is the content itself—your storytelling, your voice, the emotions you convey, and how the algorithm interprets your video or image. Focus your energy on creating compelling content and clear descriptions, not on hashtag research. Use a few relevant tags because they can’t hurt and might occasionally help, but treat them as an afterthought, not a strategy.

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Asked by a new wildlife photographer · Answered by Juan (One) · Office Hours · 2026-03-19